Morning light pushed through the curtains, soft and gold, warming the edges of the room.
Ezra woke first this time — not from a nightmare, but from the faint weight of Mellody's arm draped across his chest.
She stirred when he moved.
"Morning…" she whispered, voice still half-sleep.
He brushed her cheek. "Morning, honey."
They got up, stretching the stiffness from last night. They both freshen up.
Ezra slipped into casual black joggers and a plain dark T-shirt.
Mellody chose a light summer gown, soft cream-colored fabric that swayed lightly with each step.
She looked beautiful in a way that made the world feel momentarily normal.
"Ready?" she asked, tying her hair.
Ezra forced a small smile. "Yeah."
They walked hand-in-hand to the long, polished luxury dining table in the mansion.
The heater had warmed the whole space; sunlight reflected off the marble floors.
Ezra's family was already seated.
His mother Rosey Graves poured tea.
His father Miller Graves read the morning news on his tablet.
His sister Sophie Graves eyebrows raised the moment she saw Mellody.
His brother Vale Graves grinned, already chewing toast.
"Look who finally woke up," Sophie teased.
"Mellody, good morning! Ezra, you look… alive. Surprisingly."
Ezra smirked. "Always charming, Sophie."
Mellody laughed softly and took her seat beside him.
Miller folded the tablet.
"So, the newlyweds. Any plans for this honeymoon of yours?"
Mellody lit up instantly.
"Yes! Actually… we finalized it."
She looked around — all eyes on her.
"We're going to the Triplet Islands. I booked a penthouse suite near the sea in the famous Mijgor Coastline Zone."
Rosey blinked. "Mijgor…? I've heard of that. Very exclusive."
Sophie leaned forward. "Wait, near the sea? Like, actual waves right under the windows?"
Mellody nodded, smiling proudly.
"Exactly. Glass walls. Moonlight bay. Ezra and I will be right above the shoreline."
Vale whistled. "Damn. That sounds like a dream."
Miller raised an eyebrow.
"That must have cost a fortune."
Mellody waved a hand lightly.
"Well… TechChar is enormous. You know that. I have access to a few privileges."
Sophie mimicked faintly, whispering dramatically, "Understatement of the century."
They all laughed.
Mellody continued, resting her chin gently on her hand.
"We planned it for atleast ten days. Just enough time to breathe, explore, disappear from the world a bit."
Ezra watched her as she spoke.
Her joy was genuine.
Her excitement pure.
Yet inside him…
Something hollow scraped against the edges of his memory.
Something wrong.
Something green.
Something whispering.
He inhaled quietly, held the breath, and let it out slow —
masking the tremor in his chest with a perfect husband-smile.
Rosey turned to him.
"Ezra, dear, you look tired. Everything alright?"
"Yes," he said smoothly. "Just slept heavy."
Mellody touched his knee under the table.
Her warmth almost broke him.
The conversation drifted to ocean activities, dolphin cruises, scuba plans, evening walks, night festivals.
Ezra laughed when expected, nodded on cue, added a comment here and there.
But behind every word —
behind every smile —
behind every breath —
something sat quietly in the back of his mind like a shadow waiting for permission to move.
For now, though…
He buried it.
Just ten days of peace.
Ten days where nothing strange would happen.
Ten days where he could be a husband instead of a hole in reality.
Or so he hoped.